South Fork Police Department makes headway in cases

Posted Sep 10, 2018

By Lyndsie FerrellSOUTH FORK— South Fork Police Chief Don McDonald has continued working on several cases that were sent to court over the past year and though there is not much new information to report, McDonald was pleased to say that things are finally starting to move forward. By Lyndsie FerrellSOUTH FORK— South Fork Police Chief Don McDonald has continued working on several cases that were sent to court over the past year and though there is not much new information to report, McDonald was pleased to say that things are finally starting to move forward. “We have had a standstill with two of the main cases that were sent to trial in the last year, but things will be moving along more quickly in the next month.”One of the most controversial cases to come from the South Fork area involved four individuals that were arrested on sexual assault charges between 2016 and 2017. “I have not confirmed information provided to me at this time, but the last update I did receive through a meeting with the district attorney’s office was that the cases involving these individuals were moving forward. From the brief conversation that was had during the last meeting it was stated that Mario Dominguez had been sentenced and would be serving time,” stated McDonald.The new information pertaining to the sentencing of Dominguez could not be confirmed by Rio Grande County District Attorney Ashley Fetyko as of Sept. 4, but McDonald did state that he felt more information would be available within a month’s time. “These cases are hard because there are so many components that come into play, but we are staying up on all information as it comes available.”In November 2016, the CBI was requested by McDonald to assist with a complex sexual assault investigation. Following an extensive investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the South Fork Police Department, four arrests were made involving incidents of sexual assault against a child for Dominguez, Cristal Middleton and Helen Price. The fourth suspect, Victor White, is now deceased.The other case that made headlines in South Fork involved two individuals that embezzled a large amount of money from the local grocery store. “This case has also been at a standstill, but I do know that Aaron Brown, one of the suspects charged in the case has been sentenced and is working on paying his restitution. Matilee Brown is still awaiting trial and is still going to court,” stated McDonald.The case was opened in 2014 but did not go far until McDonald was appointed chief and took over the investigation. McDonald was able to charge both individuals for embezzling $225,000 from Rainbow Grocery Store in 2016. According to McDonald the summer in South Fork has been very busy and he has additional cases pending charges through the district attorney’s office that will be reported soon. “We have some other cases pending charges and further investigation that we will be releasing information on soon. At least I can say that I am continuing to do my job and serve the South Fork community as well as I can.”“We have had a standstill with two of the main cases that were sent to trial in the last year, but things will be moving along more quickly in the next month.”One of the most controversial cases to come from the South Fork area involved four individuals that were arrested on sexual assault charges between 2016 and 2017. “I have not confirmed information provided to me at this time, but the last update I did receive through a meeting with the district attorney’s office was that the cases involving these individuals were moving forward. From the brief conversation that was had during the last meeting it was stated that Mario Dominguez had been sentenced and would be serving time,” stated McDonald.The new information pertaining to the sentencing of Dominguez could not be confirmed by Rio Grande County District Attorney Ashley Fetyko as of Sept. 4, but McDonald did state that he felt more information would be available within a month’s time. “These cases are hard because there are so many components that come into play, but we are staying up on all information as it comes available.”In November 2016, the CBI was requested by McDonald to assist with a complex sexual assault investigation. Following an extensive investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the South Fork Police Department, four arrests were made involving incidents of sexual assault against a child for Dominguez, Cristal Middleton and Helen Price. The fourth suspect, Victor White, is now deceased.The other case that made headlines in South Fork involved two individuals that embezzled a large amount of money from the local grocery store. “This case has also been at a standstill, but I do know that Aaron Brown, one of the suspects charged in the case has been sentenced and is working on paying his restitution. Matilee Brown is still awaiting trial and is still going to court,” stated McDonald.The case was opened in 2014 but did not go far until McDonald was appointed chief and took over the investigation. McDonald was able to charge both individuals for embezzling $225,000 from Rainbow Grocery Store in 2016. According to McDonald the summer in South Fork has been very busy and he has additional cases pending charges through the district attorney’s office that will be reported soon. “We have some other cases pending charges and further investigation that we will be releasing information on soon. At least I can say that I am continuing to do my job and serve the South Fork community as well as I can.”